Counterproductive
adjective
Something that has an opposite result to what was intended or wanted.
Arguing with your boss can be counterproductive and may lead to getting fired.
Often appears as...
- highly counterproductive
- proved counterproductive
adjective
Something that has an opposite result to what was intended or wanted.
Arguing with your boss can be counterproductive and may lead to getting fired.
Often appears as...
- highly counterproductive
- proved counterproductive
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Intended Effects
Use 'counterproductive' when actions bring results opposite to the goals, especially when trying hard.
Skipping meals to lose weight can be counterproductive, as it might slow metabolism.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoiding Extremes
Actions might be counterproductive if they are too extreme, causing negative reactions.
Imposing strict rules on teenagers can be counterproductive, leading to more rebellious behavior.
Pro Tip 3/3Workplace Dynamics
In professional contexts, 'counterproductive' describes decisions or policies that hurt company goals.
Micromanaging employees can be counterproductive by stifling creativity and motivation.
Pro Tip 1/3Intended Effects
Use 'counterproductive' when actions bring results opposite to the goals, especially when trying hard.
Skipping meals to lose weight can be counterproductive, as it might slow metabolism.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoiding Extremes
Actions might be counterproductive if they are too extreme, causing negative reactions.
Imposing strict rules on teenagers can be counterproductive, leading to more rebellious behavior.
Pro Tip 3/3Workplace Dynamics
In professional contexts, 'counterproductive' describes decisions or policies that hurt company goals.
Micromanaging employees can be counterproductive by stifling creativity and motivation.
Pro Tip 1/3Intended Effects
Use 'counterproductive' when actions bring results opposite to the goals, especially when trying hard.
Skipping meals to lose weight can be counterproductive, as it might slow metabolism.
Pro Tip 2/3Avoiding Extremes
Actions might be counterproductive if they are too extreme, causing negative reactions.
Imposing strict rules on teenagers can be counterproductive, leading to more rebellious behavior.
Pro Tip 3/3Workplace Dynamics
In professional contexts, 'counterproductive' describes decisions or policies that hurt company goals.
Micromanaging employees can be counterproductive by stifling creativity and motivation.
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Video examples
Laurie Garrett: What can...
How do you get them mobilized around the world if you've shut all the airports down? How do you get the vaccines moved around the world and the drugs moved, and whatever may or not be available that would work. So it turns out that shutting down the airports is counterproductive. We're worried because this virus, unlike any other flu
Video examples
Nicola Sturgeon: How...
We've got to be careful we don't switch domestic production to imports of oil and gas. That would be counterproductive. So the way in which we make the transition matters. But we can’t have a business as usual. Because if we keep telling ourselves we can rely on fossil fuels forever, then we'll never meet that transition.
Video examples
The creative power of...
But dissatisfaction didn't always lead to creativity. It only helped when people felt committed to the company and had access to the feedback and support they needed. When you ignore them, disgruntled people channel their frustration in unproductive or even counterproductive directions.
Video examples
What if we ended the...
But now you have a criminal record that's going to follow you for the rest of your life. Jailing people because they don't have enough money to pay bail is one of the most unfair, immoral things we do as a society. But it is also expensive and counterproductive. American taxpayers --
Video examples
Cannibalism in the...
was a rare response to starvation or other extreme stress. Well-known cannibals, like the praying mantis and black widow spider, were considered bizarre exceptions. But now, we know they more or less represent the rule. While it may seem counterproductive
Video examples
A day in the life of an...
She thinks that killing the innocent as well as the guilty is harsh and counterproductive, and tells him as much. Around dusk, Archias goes to a friend’s house for a symposium. The nine men drink wine and discuss the meeting well into the night.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 42 PIPE...
aerodynamics it also helps to reduce the weight that they have to carry obviously the heavier there are the harder it would be in the more muscle leg need to run and then you know it's it's counterproductive so that is they're not
Video examples
The way we think about...
Financial incentive was exiled from the realm of helping others, so that it could thrive in the area of making money for yourself, and in 400 years, nothing has intervened to say, "That's counterproductive and that's unfair."
Video examples
I grew up in the...
I thought my rightness justified my rudeness -- harsh tones, raised voices, insults, interruptions -- but that strategy is ultimately counterproductive. Dialing up the volume and the snark is natural in stressful situations,
Video examples
Mads Tang-Christensen:...
which can lead to self-blame and low self-esteem, and perhaps even shame or stress eating, which is both heartbreaking, as well as counterproductive. But where is the scientific proof that obesity is a disease?
Video examples
Laurie Garrett: What can...
How do you get them mobilized around the world if you've shut all the airports down? How do you get the vaccines moved around the world and the drugs moved, and whatever may or not be available that would work. So it turns out that shutting down the airports is counterproductive. We're worried because this virus, unlike any other flu
Video examples
Nicola Sturgeon: How...
We've got to be careful we don't switch domestic production to imports of oil and gas. That would be counterproductive. So the way in which we make the transition matters. But we can’t have a business as usual. Because if we keep telling ourselves we can rely on fossil fuels forever, then we'll never meet that transition.
Video examples
The creative power of...
But dissatisfaction didn't always lead to creativity. It only helped when people felt committed to the company and had access to the feedback and support they needed. When you ignore them, disgruntled people channel their frustration in unproductive or even counterproductive directions.
Video examples
What if we ended the...
But now you have a criminal record that's going to follow you for the rest of your life. Jailing people because they don't have enough money to pay bail is one of the most unfair, immoral things we do as a society. But it is also expensive and counterproductive. American taxpayers --
Video examples
Cannibalism in the...
was a rare response to starvation or other extreme stress. Well-known cannibals, like the praying mantis and black widow spider, were considered bizarre exceptions. But now, we know they more or less represent the rule. While it may seem counterproductive
Video examples
A day in the life of an...
She thinks that killing the innocent as well as the guilty is harsh and counterproductive, and tells him as much. Around dusk, Archias goes to a friend’s house for a symposium. The nine men drink wine and discuss the meeting well into the night.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 42 PIPE...
aerodynamics it also helps to reduce the weight that they have to carry obviously the heavier there are the harder it would be in the more muscle leg need to run and then you know it's it's counterproductive so that is they're not
Video examples
The way we think about...
Financial incentive was exiled from the realm of helping others, so that it could thrive in the area of making money for yourself, and in 400 years, nothing has intervened to say, "That's counterproductive and that's unfair."
Video examples
I grew up in the...
I thought my rightness justified my rudeness -- harsh tones, raised voices, insults, interruptions -- but that strategy is ultimately counterproductive. Dialing up the volume and the snark is natural in stressful situations,
Video examples
Mads Tang-Christensen:...
which can lead to self-blame and low self-esteem, and perhaps even shame or stress eating, which is both heartbreaking, as well as counterproductive. But where is the scientific proof that obesity is a disease?
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Tariq Ramadan
Swiss Writer
Tunisia's responsibility, and especially that of its political and intellectual elites, is enormous. All the protagonists of the nation's social, cultural, economic and political life must work to overcome useless and counterproductive polarisation, and to find solutions to domestic, regional and international problems.
Quote examples
H. R. McMaster
American Public Servant
Because war is a competition involving life and death, and in which national security and vital interests are at stake, establishing an objective other than winning is not only counterproductive, but also irresponsible and wasteful. In some circumstances, it is also unethical.
Quote examples
Judith Wright
Australian Poet
We've observed that people who stall in their personal growth work often have counterproductive soft addictions that stand in their way of growth and having the life they say they want. It can be a simple thing, such as watching TV instead of finishing a project.
Quote examples
Kevin Powers
American Writer
I know that the writers I read and admire all have an influence on my work, but trying to determine to what degree any particular piece of input changes the way I think about writing seems counterproductive.
Quote examples
Caroline Lucas
British Politician
Many are outspoken about the climate crisis, but conveniently ignore the fact that support for fossil fuels is not just incompatible with curbing emissions but dangerously counterproductive.
Quote examples
Jack Nicholson
American Actor
I never had a policy about marriage. I got married very young in life and I always think in all relationships, I've always thought that it's counterproductive to have a theory on that.
Quote examples
Iman Shumpert
American Athlete
The NBA actually encourages balanced living. Realistically, basketball only takes up about six hours of your day before it becomes counterproductive.
Quote examples
Steve Hanke
American Economist
Sanctions historically are quite counterproductive in the sense that if you impose sanctions on your enemy, it tends to strengthen your enemy.
Quote examples
Aung San Suu Kyi
Burmese Activist
Confidence-building is not something that can go on forever. If it goes on forever then it becomes counterproductive.
Quote examples
Eric Holder
American Public Servant
Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.
Quote examples
Tariq Ramadan
Swiss Writer
Tunisia's responsibility, and especially that of its political and intellectual elites, is enormous. All the protagonists of the nation's social, cultural, economic and political life must work to overcome useless and counterproductive polarisation, and to find solutions to domestic, regional and international problems.
Quote examples
H. R. McMaster
American Public Servant
Because war is a competition involving life and death, and in which national security and vital interests are at stake, establishing an objective other than winning is not only counterproductive, but also irresponsible and wasteful. In some circumstances, it is also unethical.
Quote examples
Judith Wright
Australian Poet
We've observed that people who stall in their personal growth work often have counterproductive soft addictions that stand in their way of growth and having the life they say they want. It can be a simple thing, such as watching TV instead of finishing a project.
Quote examples
Kevin Powers
American Writer
I know that the writers I read and admire all have an influence on my work, but trying to determine to what degree any particular piece of input changes the way I think about writing seems counterproductive.
Quote examples
Caroline Lucas
British Politician
Many are outspoken about the climate crisis, but conveniently ignore the fact that support for fossil fuels is not just incompatible with curbing emissions but dangerously counterproductive.
Quote examples
Jack Nicholson
American Actor
I never had a policy about marriage. I got married very young in life and I always think in all relationships, I've always thought that it's counterproductive to have a theory on that.
Quote examples
Iman Shumpert
American Athlete
The NBA actually encourages balanced living. Realistically, basketball only takes up about six hours of your day before it becomes counterproductive.
Quote examples
Steve Hanke
American Economist
Sanctions historically are quite counterproductive in the sense that if you impose sanctions on your enemy, it tends to strengthen your enemy.
Quote examples
Aung San Suu Kyi
Burmese Activist
Confidence-building is not something that can go on forever. If it goes on forever then it becomes counterproductive.
Quote examples
Eric Holder
American Public Servant
Displays of force in response to mostly peaceful demonstrations can be counterproductive.
Example 1 of 10
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